RESPONSES TO THE GOSPEL
4 1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 6 and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
vs 5-6 The next morning, they were brought before the Sanhedrin. All of those listed make up the ruling council.
vs 7 This was the Sanhedrin's job. They were the Supreme Court for the Jewish people. However what Peter was preaching was not what they wanted to hear. They had just gotten rid of Jesus and now the crowds are growing again to hear about a dead man, and His the power which has been unleashed. The Sanhedrin are the highest court in Jerusalem, Peter has just gathered an unauthorized meeting to preach a resurrected Jesus. Peter and John are Galileans not professors of theology, who gave you this authority?
vs 8 Filled with the Holy Spirit is for a specific moment in which the filled is emboldened to speak the truth of the gospel message.
vs 9 Peter and John are encircled and being interrogated by the very leaders that chose to crucify Jesus rather than accept His message. Peter makes clear the charge that they are being accused of. The question they want to know is by what power did you heal this man? Peter seems to say that they are on trial for doing a good deed.
vs 10 Peter makes clear that this man was healed by the power of the Messiah that they not only rejected, but murdered. That could not keep Him down, God raised Him from the dead, and it is by the power of Jesus that this man was healed. Jesus's work continues and He is not dead.
vs 11 Peter uses Psalm 118 which is a Messianic Psalm to make his point about who Jesus really was. This council had rejected God's foundational stone as if it were merely another field stone.
vs 12 Jesus is the hope of the future of all men. What Jesus did for us can only be realized by calling on and accepting the authority of Jesus.
vs 7 This was the Sanhedrin's job. They were the Supreme Court for the Jewish people. However what Peter was preaching was not what they wanted to hear. They had just gotten rid of Jesus and now the crowds are growing again to hear about a dead man, and His the power which has been unleashed. The Sanhedrin are the highest court in Jerusalem, Peter has just gathered an unauthorized meeting to preach a resurrected Jesus. Peter and John are Galileans not professors of theology, who gave you this authority?
vs 8 Filled with the Holy Spirit is for a specific moment in which the filled is emboldened to speak the truth of the gospel message.
vs 9 Peter and John are encircled and being interrogated by the very leaders that chose to crucify Jesus rather than accept His message. Peter makes clear the charge that they are being accused of. The question they want to know is by what power did you heal this man? Peter seems to say that they are on trial for doing a good deed.
vs 10 Peter makes clear that this man was healed by the power of the Messiah that they not only rejected, but murdered. That could not keep Him down, God raised Him from the dead, and it is by the power of Jesus that this man was healed. Jesus's work continues and He is not dead.
vs 11 Peter uses Psalm 118 which is a Messianic Psalm to make his point about who Jesus really was. This council had rejected God's foundational stone as if it were merely another field stone.
vs 12 Jesus is the hope of the future of all men. What Jesus did for us can only be realized by calling on and accepting the authority of Jesus.
THE GOSPEL MESSENGERS
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
vs 13 The filling of the Holy Spirit is what empowered the boldness of Peter and John. The transformation of Peter from when Jesus was arrested and he denied knowing Him three times, until now is witness enough to conclude that the resurrection had taken place. These guys were not well known theologians, or even taught by well known theologians. They were backward people from Galilee. Then they understood that they had been with Jesus. We should remember that Jesus spent forty days with them after His resurrection.
vs 14 The healed man is present and the miracle is undeniable. The crowd also witnessed the healing and this will impede what type of judgment they will render. The healing had been done in the name of Jesus.
vs 15-17 The council is still more concerned about self preservation than yielding to the will of God.
vs 18 Their judgement is to silence them through intimidation. Peter and John would both be aware of the consequences of disobeying this council.
vs 19 Peter indicts the council for trying to silence God's will. They should look at what they had just judged to see if it stood the test of truth and righteousness in Gods sight.
vs 20 Peter and John had been commanded by Jesus to take the gospel out to all peoples. This is the first stop in Jerusalem. Nothing but death shall silence these witness's.
vs 21 The council stands firm on their decision and even tries to up the intimidation. The healing miracle in Jesus name had such an effect on the crowd that the council members hands were tied.
vs 22 This man had been a witness of physical disablement from birth. He held a highly visible spot for alms begging. He was known by all that came to the temple. The miracle in Jesus name was undeniable.
vs 14 The healed man is present and the miracle is undeniable. The crowd also witnessed the healing and this will impede what type of judgment they will render. The healing had been done in the name of Jesus.
vs 15-17 The council is still more concerned about self preservation than yielding to the will of God.
vs 18 Their judgement is to silence them through intimidation. Peter and John would both be aware of the consequences of disobeying this council.
vs 19 Peter indicts the council for trying to silence God's will. They should look at what they had just judged to see if it stood the test of truth and righteousness in Gods sight.
vs 20 Peter and John had been commanded by Jesus to take the gospel out to all peoples. This is the first stop in Jerusalem. Nothing but death shall silence these witness's.
vs 21 The council stands firm on their decision and even tries to up the intimidation. The healing miracle in Jesus name had such an effect on the crowd that the council members hands were tied.
vs 22 This man had been a witness of physical disablement from birth. He held a highly visible spot for alms begging. He was known by all that came to the temple. The miracle in Jesus name was undeniable.
THE APOSTLES GIVE PRAISE TO GOD
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
GOD CONFIRMS HIS APPROVAL
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
THE GREAT COMMISSION IMPLEMENTED
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.